a.p.e. radio

So I came across this article from Billboard and thought it was really cool.

The gist of it is that artists will now be able to host/dj their own radio stations. Front Line Management (owned by Irving Azoff - who also owns Ticketmaster, and has basically created a monopoly in the music industry) along with Clear Channel Radio are teaming up to create a.p.e. radio (artist personal experience).

Artists will have a 24-hour, streaming online channels where the can upload about 1,000 songs, of their choice, for fans to access and listen to. Though most songs will be from other artists, there will be a song or two from the host. In addition to the songs, artists will also give stories about the music and their lives in interviews (often these stories for the artists will be linked to their songs that they play).

From a marketing standpoint, this is going to be such a good branding tool for artist allowing them to build up their image and deepening relationship with fans. AND while the artist is engaging consumers, they will also simultaneously be able to promote tours, albums, and other news important to the artist.... sneaky, sneaky....

These radio stations will not be terrestrial (i.e. 95.5 the beeYAAAT) but they will be found online or by using the iheartradio app for the iPhone or BlackBerry. Artists will also be able to add widgets to their web pages.

I can't even remember what music was like before the internet... Now you can be friends with artists on facebook and myspace, follow them on twitter, read their blogs from their websites, and soon you'll be able to listen to 1,000 song play list that they have created for their fans - so cool! I often wonder what my favorite artists are listening to, and now, I'll know.